Title: Phillips Seminary plans campus move to Tulsa
Date: May 22, 1997
Disciples News Service
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: news@cm.disciples.org
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INDIANAPOLIS (DNS) -- Anticipated financial savings and a potential for increased student enrollment have led to a plan to move the primary campus of Disciples-related Phillips Theological Seminary from Enid, Okla., to Tulsa.
The move was approved by the PTS board of trustees, meeting in Enid May 16-17. The former Phillips University graduate school was incorporated as a separate institution in 1987. PTS now serves 220 students on the two campuses, both of which have full degree programs.
The decision stems from a 1996 task force recommendation to consolidate the programs at one campus. The committee, however, encouraged the continuation of off-campus course offerings.
Expenses involved in maintaining separate academic and administrative structures sparked the initial decision to consolidate programs, according to the Rev. Stephen V. Cranford, Jefferson City, Mo. With the May meeting, the regional minister of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Mid-America finished his term as president of the seminary board of trustees.
The new location in a major metropolitan area will increase the pool of students served by the seminary. The average age of seminarians is now 40, Cranford said. And with potential students often having families, homes and other careers, many are choosing a seminary in a place that is convenient to them.
Seminaries also are becoming increasingly regional in scope, Cranford added. The Tulsa location also will enable PTS to more readily serve the seven Disciples regions with which it has covenantal or "comity" relationships.
"We wish the seminary the very best," said Michael Sohn, Phillips University public relations director. "Obviously we understand its position in trying to grow into the next century. We hope to maintain the relationship we've had."
PTS's main administrative offices have remained on the Phillips University campus, where it leases classroom and office space. The new plan, however, envisions the construction of facilities adjoining the University of Tulsa, which currently houses the PTS/Tulsa program. The new building would house the seminary classes and administrative offices.
The seminary will have a continuing presence in Enid, according to Cranford. A full course of studies will be offered there through the 1997-1998 academic year. In the future, courses will be offered in Enid as well as in other communities served by PTS. Courses are now offered in Oklahoma City, Wichita, Kan., Springfield, Mo., and Rogers, Ark.
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